On June 27, Toastmasters veteran Frank Schuck celebrated his 75th birthday with a Toastmasters dinner at The Wine Bar in Atlantic Highlands. He invited friends from clubs at AT&T Middletown Toastmasters, Red Bank Toastmasters, and Talk of Monmouth, an advanced club.
Paul Ireifej served as the Toastmaster. He kicked off the meeting with a roast. He acknowledged Frank’s military service and did an impression of Frank, complete with his gravelly voice and wide arm gestures. Paul ended with sincere words, applauding Frank’s 48-year marriage to his wife, Sheila, noting that you don’t even know if it’s been a good 48 years.
Next, Rohit Sivadas came to the lectern with a roast. He noted that Frank’s wife, Sheila, is really the important person that evening! Rohit complimented the beautifully designed cake (complete with Toastmasters logo), acknowledged Frank’s new Area Director role and ended by referring to Frank as the funny guy who brings cakes.
Radhi Spear continued the evening with a roast. She started by saying, “now I can tell Frank to his face things I’ve been saying behind his back.”
[ngg_images source=”galleries” display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow” gallery_width=”600″ gallery_height=”400″ cycle_effect=”fade” cycle_interval=”3″ show_thumbnail_link=”0″ thumbnail_link_text=”[Show thumbnails]” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Su Brooks gave a roast centered on a typo that was made in an email about a training session at the Tinton Falls Municipal Courtroom. The event details read, “Food and Frank is not allowed in the court room.” She then explained that this is a problem, since Frank is the Vice President of Education for Talk of Monmouth and Area 61 Director.
Joe Stein delivered a very polished roast, starting off by noting that “Roastmaster” is Paul’s job at Starbucks. He mentioned that Frank is his mentor and gave him tips, none of them good. Joe then explored Frank’s old age, noting that Frank helped Alexander Graham Bell with the first phone call. Frank’s first girlfriend was Wilma Flintstone. Joe also mentioned that Frank’s least favorite President of his lifetime was Johnson, Andrew Johnson.
Neerja Purang met Frank at a contest where she was the judge and Frank was a contestant. She then highlighted Frank’s positive personality saying that he lights up any room. She complimented Frank’s friendly demeanor and that he introduces you to everyone.
Erica Loren came to the lectern with a very sincere speech that highlighted Frank’s friendly personality and ability to get the best out of people.
Brian Reynolds talked about Frank’s experience in the military in the snowy winter of 1942 and his spectator effort in World War I. He described Frank’s military experience under Grant and emphasized his horseman skills in the Civil War. Brian continued on about how Frank was there when God smote Sodom and Gomorrah. Brian ended with a sincere acknowledgement of Frank’s friendship, with a final comment about how this is Frank’s 75th anniversary of his 100th birthday.
Orlando Lovelace was the second-to-last speaker. He mentioned Schuck-ism, frankness, and that Frank is friendly and silly, but has a fire inside. He’s rowdy, but reliable. Sometimes plays the devil’s advocate, but mostly is extremely kind.
Martin Donohue took the stage to give a toast to Frank in the new phase of his life, saying that he never takes a day off. He quoted Richard Armour, “Retired is being tired twice, I’ve thought, first tired of working, then tired of not,” which describes Frank perfectly.
The evening ended with a beautiful toast from Frank’s wife, Sheila. She noted how Toastmasters helped to keep him out of the house, so that she can have the TV remote to herself.
To close the night, Frank gave a genuine and emotional speech expressing his gratitude to all those in attendance. He said that you are the average of all the people you surround yourself with and the he wants to be remembered as a good father, good friend, and a good Toastmaster.